6G • RAN
Handset Near-Field Beamfocusing
Terminal-Side Spherical Wavefront Beamfocusing
Handset antenna array beamforming adapted for the radiative near-field (Fresnel zone) where wavefronts are spherical rather than planar.
Technical Explanation
Because 6G employs extremely high frequencies (sub-THz) and large aperture arrays, the Rayleigh distance expands into several meters or tens of meters. When a handset communicates with an indoor access point, RIS, or another smartphone, it operates in the radiative near-field. Near-field beamfocusing enables the handset to focus electromagnetic energy onto a specific 3D spatial coordinate (distance and angle), drastically reducing interference to surrounding devices and maximizing energy efficiency.
Key Functions
- Focuses radiated energy onto a 3D focal point rather than an angular cone
- Eliminates spatial interference outside the immediate focal zone
- Enables distance-based user multiplexing on identical angles of arrival
- Utilizes spherical wavefront channel estimation models
Specifications
ITU-R M.2160, 3GPP Rel-19 ELAA Study
Interfaces
Handset Phased Array Front-EndUu Near-Field
Related 6G Concepts
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